Your First Day
We are so pleased you have decided to join us. The initial settling in period can be a bit daunting for both you and your child, so we’ve created this simple guide to help you. Please feel free to ask the teachers or myself if you have any questions.
What to bring each day
In a school bag please pack:
- 2 x sets of spare clothes (named)
- A sunhat / warm hat (depending on the season)
- Pre-prepared bottles of formula (named) or tin of formula (named) if your child is under 2 years old
- A comforter if required
- A lunch box containing healthy food for their lunch
Please leave special toys at home as they can get lost or damaged.
What to do on your child’s first day
On your first day please come and see me or my 2IC so we can help re-orientate you to the centre, show you where things go, and let you know what the procedures are etc.
What to do in the morning
- Complete the sign in sheet located by the main entrance door for the over 2′s and inside the gate for the under 2′s.
- Put bag away – your child’s locker will have their name on it and is located in the main room for the over 2′s and on the deck for the under 2′s.
- If your child needs medicine, fill out a medication form  which is located in the Medication Form Folder which is kept in the cabinet in the kitchen and place the named medicine in this cabinet or fridge.
- Place pre-prepared formula bottles in fridge.
- Leave the lunchbox in the child’s locker for the over 2′s and on the shelf in the room for the under 2′s, with perishable food named and placed in the fridge.
- Settle your child into the room by either engaging them in an activity or approaching a teacher. Don’t forget that initially it’s helpful for you to stay a short while to help your child settle and for you to get to know their teachers.
- To help with the initial separation it’s best to say something like, “Bye, I’ll be back this afternoon” rather than leave unnoticed. Please feel free to discuss the separation process with me or the head teacher in your child’s room if you are unsure at this time.
What to do in the afternoon
- Complete the sign out sheet
- Collect your child’s bag and any belongings that may have slipped out
- Collect formula bottles and medicine (if applicable) as well as their lunch box
- Check daily notices and day’s activities board located on the whiteboard outside as you enter
- Check your parent pocket for any notices or invoices
- If you wish, have a quick chat with a teacher to find out more about your child’s day
- Find your child – if they haven’t found you already!
Special Achievement Journals and our Policies
- Your child has a Special Achievement Journal / Portfolio which chronicles their achievements and learning stories. We encourage you to review and contribute to it on a regular basis. Please ask me or any of our teachers how you can contribute. The Journals / Portfolios are kept in the stand in Te Marama and available from the teachers in Te Ra
- All of our policies are kept in the Policy Folder which is located on the Parent’s Information Shelf in Te Marama. You are welcome to view these at any time.
Routines
Under 2′s routine: (Te Ra)
We keep the routines as close as possible to those that you have at home for the infants. The older children have a mat time at 9.30am followed by morning tea then nappies are changed. The children choose if they wish to be outside or inside with activities set up for them or we follow their requests. Lunch is at 11.30am with sometimes a mat time prior, depending on the children. When lunch is completed they go to the sleep room for their afternoon sleep at around 12.00pm. Once they awaken we change their nappy, apply sunscreen, if applicable, and then they join the group for continued play, either outside or inside. Afternoon mat time is at 2.30pm followed by afternoon tea then continued play with nappies being changed again before they depart for the day. We can on some days join up with the older children.
Over 2′s routine: (Te Marama)
Child initiated play is a strong part of this room, however activities are initially set up in the morning for arriving children. They have the opportunity for outside play from 9.00am with areas set up for them to explore. Mat time at 9.30am is followed by morning tea, toileting / nappy changes and then free play either inside or outside. Mat time at 11.30am followed by lunch with the younger children going to the sleep room for their afternoon sleep from 12.00pm. Once they awaken we change their nappy / toilet them, apply sunscreen, if applicable, and then they join the group for continued play, either outside or inside. The older children have an activity time at 1.00pm where they are given more in depth information on whatever the focus for programming is for that term. This is also a time where it is just the older children of the group and it is extending their ability to concentrate, listen to information and generally preparing them for their transition to school. Afternoon mat time is at 2.30pm followed by afternoon tea then continued play with nappies being changed again before they depart for the day.
Programming
You will often hear us talk about ‘programming’ and see displays up on the walls. Programming is the focus of children’s learning and is based on the needs and interests of individual children or groups of children.
For example, some of our children may develop an interest in aspects of nature. So we support and guide the children’s learning around this by doing research, doing a “show and tell” with nature items from home and we’ll go and explore in the garden etc.
Additionally, we encourage you to get involved and help continue this learning at home. To find out more feel free to talk to me or any of our teachers.
Don’t forget…
We encourage you to call and check on your child. We understand that it’s hard for parents to leave their child with us for the first few times, and often it’s more upsetting for the parents than the child! So please feel free to call us as often as you need.
We also realize that the initial settling in period can be hard on some children. Don’t worry; our teachers will keep a close eye on your child and will always be there with lots of cuddles for them.
And finally…
Welcome! We look forward to working with you to help your child develop, grow, learn, laugh and make friends.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to talk to me.
Kind regards,
Sharon Udy,
Acting Centre Manager